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Bayern Munich had much to celebrate after kicking off their title defense with a 6-0 over RB Leipzig in 2025/26 Bundesliga opener. Beyond the scoreline, there was also a successful tactical tweak. Bayern – following Jamal Musiala’s injury – have found themselves in need of a ten.
After watching attacker Michael Olise struggle in the ten slot during the pre-season and DFL Supercup, FCB head coach coach Vincent Kompany opted to slide Serge Gnabry in at ten while Olise took over the right wing. Everything worked to perfection.
Gnabry – who also did well on the right in the Supercup – snagged two assists. Olise added a scorer’s brace. Asked about the tactical deployment at the post match press conference, Kompany first had a question for the reporter.
“It’s not been easy for Serge Gnabry as of late at Bayern,” the reporter began. “Today he excelled at ten. How do you assess his current form?”
“What do you mean it hasn’t been easy for him?” Kompany responded back in German.
“He was often listed as a candidate for sale in recent years,” the reporter clarified. “And he’s entering the final year of his contract. Topics like this.“
“Look, this a very underrated player,” Kompany said with a dismissive bow of the head. “There are outside opinions, but also our opinion and the opinions of his teammates. He’s an underrated player with very few weaknesses.
“He’s still important,” Kompany continued. “And he’s always been very important for Bayern during important games in the past. If one’s honest, there’s few highlight reels without goals and assists from Serge.
“From my perspective, I’m not surprised,” Kompany concluded. “It’s not the case that he was better than normal tonight. He has his position with the German national team and it’s important that he can play in the center for us.“
GGFN | Peter Weis
